Bus driver Carlos Benjamin leans on the vehicle that will be something of a home to him and his crew for the month of October. It’s huge and covered in graphics, and printed on the side in yellow and black are the words “Banned Books Tour 2023”.
The bus isn’t stacked with the usual road-trip items, such as coffee cups, clothes or daily supplies. It’s filled with thousands of books. As part of an initiative spearheaded by the New Republic, the books will be driven throughout the US to spread awareness about literary censorship and the freedom to read. Beginning in New York earlier this week, the bookmobile will visit several states and end in Texas later this month. Benjamin is excited to get going, smiling in a T-shirt that reads “I’m with the banned”.
